Zimbabwean patients, particularly those undergoing cancer and hormone-related treatment, have been urged to remain alert following the discovery of unapproved Zoladex 10.8mg injections circulating on the local market.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), through its Director General Richard Rukwata, confirmed that the product was never authorised for use in the country, raising serious concerns over its safety and effectiveness.
“This product was not formally imported into Zimbabwe. Because of that, we cannot guarantee its quality, safety or efficacy,” said Rukwata, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine how the drug found its way onto pharmacy shelves.
Zoladex, which contains the active ingredient Goserelin Acetate, is widely used in the management of prostate and breast cancer, among other conditions, making the presence of unapproved versions particularly worrying for patients who rely on consistent and regulated medication.
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According to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, the unauthorised injection appears to have been diverted from another market, with packaging features that differ from the registered Zimbabwean product.
These include instructions written in both English and Afrikaans, purple-toned cartons, and South African scheduling and registration details, rather than local regulatory markings.
Rukwata said all licensed pharmacies, wholesalers and health facilities have been directed to immediately isolate any suspected unapproved Zoladex stock and submit it to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe for safe disposal.
“We are appealing to both healthcare providers and patients to ensure that only medicines registered and approved by MCAZ are used,” he said.
Patients who may have already bought the unauthorised injection have been advised to stop using it and return it to the pharmacy where it was purchased.
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